Roofing assembly, modular roofing system, and method of roofing

ABSTRACT

A roofing assembly, comprising: a membrane; a plurality of cords, attached in a spaced-apart configuration to the flexible membrane and extending in a first direction; a plurality of battens, attached in a spaced-apart configuration to the plurality of cords and extending in a second direction that is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the first direction, each of the battens being attached to at least one of the plurality of cords; wherein a first set of the battens is offset at least one end in the second direction from a second set of the battens.

The present disclosure relates to roofing assemblies and more particularly to roofing assemblies comprising a flexible membrane, cords, and battens. The disclosure also relates to a modular roofing system comprising a plurality of roofing assemblies, and a method of roofing using such roofing assemblies.

Tiling a roof, for example using clay, slate, or concrete tiles, plastic-based materials, or flexible sheeting, requires preparation of the roof in order to allow tiles to be affixed. Commonly, the preparation of a roof requires the laying of a membrane, also known as underlay, felt, or vapour permeable membrane (VPM). The membrane is designed to be waterproof in case any water manages to pass between the tiles once constructed, and preferably is also breathable in order to enable airflow through the roof, for example to prevent the build-up of moisture in the roof cavity. On top of the membrane, wooden strips known as battens or laths are attached to rafters in order to function as anchor points for attachment of the tiles. The attachment of the battens to the rafters may also function to provide attachment of the membrane. Tiles can then be attached individually to the battens. Tiles may each be nailed or otherwise affixed to the battens or only some of the tiles may be affixed to the battens. As an example, where interlocking tiles are used it may be desirable to affix by nailing only one in every five tiles horizontally and one in every three tiles up the roof. The laying of the membrane and battens and subsequent attachment of the tiles can make roofing very time-consuming.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,005,330 discloses an assembly of battens for the covering of roofs. The assembly comprises a flexible sheet to which are attached strips or cords. The battens are then stapled to the strips to provide a fixing point for the tiles. The strips and battens are arranged to allow the flexible sheet to form a trough between the strips, in order that water that reaches the flexible sheet is encouraged to drain towards a bottom edge of the roof.

A first aspect provides a roofing assembly, comprising:

-   -   a membrane;     -   a plurality of cords, attached in a spaced-apart configuration         to the flexible membrane and extending in a first direction;     -   a plurality of battens, attached in a spaced-apart configuration         to the plurality of cords and extending in a second direction         that is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the first         direction, each of the battens being attached to at least one of         the plurality of cords;     -   wherein a first set of the battens is offset at at least one end         in the second direction from a second set of the battens.

By offsetting in the second direction a first set of the battens at at least one end from a second set of the battens, an overlap between battens of adjacent roofing assemblies can be provided. This may assist with alignment of adjacent roofing assemblies as well as spacing of the assemblies and attachment of tiling. The battens of adjacent roofing assemblies, when attached to a receiving structure for a roof, may be interleaved with each other.

It may be that it is desirable to provide battens whereby the first set of battens is offset from the second set at only one end, with the other ends of both sets of battens being aligned. This will allow for roofing assemblies to be produced that are suitable for use at the edge of a roof, without requiring further modification. The offset side of one roofing assembly may be opposite to the offset side of another, in order to provide roofing assemblies for both a left-hand edge and a right-hand edge of a roof.

The assembly may include a single membrane or a plurality of membranes. It may be advantageous to use a plurality of membranes in each roofing assembly. The plurality of membranes may be joined together at their edges or may overlap each other. Use of a plurality of membranes may be desirable, for example, where the membranes are only manufactured in set lengths or widths—e.g. 1.7 metres—but the overall assembly is desired to have a larger length or width—e.g. 3 metres.

The membrane may be a flexible membrane. The flexible membrane may allow for the assembly to be placed in a stowed configuration prior to installation on a roof. In the stowed configuration, the assembly may be rolled up. In the stowed configuration, the cords and battens may be at least partially covered or surrounded by the flexible membrane.

Rolling or otherwise stowing the assembly may be useful for transportation and/or storage of the assembly and/or ease of handling and/or laying of the assembly on a roof support structure.

The membrane may be waterproof and/or breathable. Each of these characteristics may be beneficial to the operation of a roof including the roofing assembly, for example providing improved waterproofing or air circulation.

The first set of the battens may be offset in the second direction at both ends from the second set of battens. This may allow the battens of a roofing assembly to be interleaved at both ends with the battens of an adjacent roofing assembly.

The first set of the battens and the second set of the battens may be attached to the cords such that they alternate in a repeating manner. For example, an A-B-A-B-A-B repeating pattern of battens may be used, where A denotes a batten from the first set of battens and B denotes a batten from the second set of battens.

Additional sets of battens may also be included. For example, a third set of battens could also be added which could be offset by a different amount than the other battens. The third or further set may be arranged to alternate in a repeating manner. For example, an A-B-C-A-B-C repeating pattern of battens may be used, where C denotes a batten from the third set of battens. Alternatively, an A-B-C-B-A repeating pattern may be used.

Alternative ways of ordering the different sets of battens may also be used. The skilled person will be aware of such possibilities in view of the present disclosure.

The battens may be arranged such that they define or indicate an overlapping region of the membrane for overlapping with another, similar, roofing assembly. The overlapping region may be defined or indicated at least partially by the absence of battens.

The overlapping region of the membrane may extend along one side of the membrane. For example, the overlapping region may extend along a side of the membrane at one end of the battens, which may be an end where the different sets of battens are offset from one another.

The overlapping region of the membrane may extend along two adjacent sides of the membrane. For example, the overlapping region may extend along one side of the membrane and along either the top or the bottom of the membrane. In this way, multiple roofing assemblies may be arranged in a grid formation with a single overlap between each roofing assembly and the adjacent roofing assemblies.

The battens of at least one of the set of the battens may extend over an edge of the membrane for engaging with the battens of another, similar, roofing assembly. The consequent interleaving of the battens, in use, may not therefore interfere with the overlapping of the membranes of adjacent roofing assemblies.

The battens of another set of the battens may align with the edge of the membrane.

The membrane may be attached to the battens at one or more attachment points.

The cords may be attached to the battens separately to the attachment of the membrane to the battens. Thus, the battens may be the only interconnection between the membrane and cords. Alternatively, the cords may be attached directly to the membrane.

A second aspect provides a modular roofing system comprising a plurality of roofing assemblies according to the first aspect.

A third aspect provides a roof comprising a receiving structure for a roof and one or more, e.g. a plurality of, roofing assemblies according to the first aspect or a modular roofing system according to the second aspect attached to the receiving structure.

A fourth aspect provides a building having a roof according to the third aspect.

The building may, for example, comprise a residential, commercial, educational, or industrial building. The building may comprise a dwelling such as a house or block of flats.

A fifth aspect provides a method of laying a modular roofing assembly, comprising:

-   -   providing a plurality of roofing assemblies, each roofing         assembly comprising:         -   a membrane;         -   a plurality of cords, attached in a spaced-apart             configuration to the flexible membrane and extending in a             first direction; and         -   a plurality of battens, attached in a spaced-apart             configuration to the plurality of cords and extending in a             second direction that is orthogonal or substantially             orthogonal to the first direction, each of the battens being             attached to at least one of the plurality of cords;         -   wherein a first set of the battens is offset at at least one             end in the second direction from a second set of the             battens;     -   laying a first of the plurality of roofing assemblies on a         receiving structure for a roof;     -   laying a second of the plurality of roofing assemblies on the         receiving structure such that the battens of the second of the         plurality of roofing assemblies are interleaved with the battens         of the first of the plurality of roofing assemblies.

The method may further comprise laying a third of the plurality of roofing assemblies on the receiving structure in a position such that the battens of the third of the plurality of roofing assemblies are parallel but not collinear with the battens of the first and second of the plurality of roofing assemblies.

The method may further comprise laying further roofing assemblies of the plurality of roofing assemblies such that the battens of each further roofing assembly of the plurality of roofing assemblies are interleaved with the battens of a previously lain roofing assembly such as the first, second, or third of the plurality of roofing assemblies.

A sixth aspect provides a method of laying a roofing assembly, comprising:

-   -   a membrane;     -   a plurality of cords, attached in a spaced-apart configuration         to the flexible membrane and extending in a first direction; and     -   a plurality of battens, attached in a spaced-apart configuration         to the plurality of cords and extending in a second direction         that is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the first         direction, each of the battens being attached to at least one of         the plurality of cords;     -   attaching the roofing assembly at a lower edge of a receiving         structure for a roof; and     -   laying and attaching the roofing assembly in a direction towards         an upper edge of the receiving structure.

The membrane may be a flexible membrane. The flexible membrane may allow for the assembly to be placed in a stowed configuration prior to installation on a roof. In the stowed configuration, the assembly may be rolled up. In the stowed configuration, the cords and battens may be at least partially covered or surrounded by the flexible membrane.

The method may further comprise a step of changing a distance between battens by squeezing or compressing of the cord interconnecting two battens. The battens can therefore be changed in their alignment, e.g. in order to conform to features or dimensions of the roof structure.

The method may further comprise overlapping the roofing assembly with another roofing assembly. The another roofing assembly may be a similar roofing assembly.

A first set of the battens may be offset at at least one end in the second direction from a second set of the battens.

By offsetting in the second direction a first set of the battens at at least one end from a second set of the battens, an overlap between battens of adjacent roofing assemblies can be provided. This may assist with alignment of adjacent roofing assemblies as well as spacing of the assemblies and attachment of tiling. The battens of adjacent roofing assemblies, when attached to a receiving structure for a roof, may be interleaved with each other.

The membrane may be a flexible membrane. The flexible membrane allows for the assembly to be placed in a stowed configuration prior to installation on a roof. In the stowed configuration, the assembly may be rolled up. In the stowed configuration, the cords and battens may be at least partially covered or surrounded by the flexible membrane.

Rolling or otherwise stowing the assembly may be useful for transportation and/or storage of the assembly and/or ease of handling and/or laying of the assembly on a roof support structure.

The membrane may be waterproof and/or breathable. Each of these characteristics may be beneficial to the operation of a roof including the roofing assembly, for example providing improved waterproofing or air circulation.

The first set of the battens may be offset in the second direction at both ends from the second set of battens. This may allow the battens of a roofing assembly to be interleaved at both ends with the battens of an adjacent roofing assembly.

The first set of the battens and the second set of the battens may be attached to the cords such that they alternate in a repeating manner. For example, an A-B-A-B-A-B repeating pattern of battens may be used, where A denotes a batten from the first set of battens and B denotes a batten from the second set of battens.

Additional sets of battens may also be included. For example, a third set of battens could also be added which could be offset by a different amount than the other battens. The third or further set may be arranged to alternate in a repeating manner. For example, an A-B-C-A-B-C repeating pattern of battens may be used, where C denotes a batten from the third set of battens. Alternatively, an A-B-C-B-A repeating pattern may be used.

Alternative ways of ordering the different sets of battens may also be used. The skilled person will be aware of such possibilities in view of the present disclosure.

The battens may be arranged such that they define or indicate an overlapping region of the membrane for overlapping with another, similar, roofing assembly. The overlapping region may be defined or indicated at least partially by the absence of battens.

The overlapping region of the membrane may extend along one side of the membrane. For example, the overlapping region may extend along a side of the membrane at one end of the battens, which may be an end where the different sets of battens are offset from one another.

The overlapping region of the membrane may extend along two adjacent sides of the membrane. For example, the overlapping region may extend along one side of the membrane and along either the top or the bottom of the membrane. In this way, multiple roofing assemblies may be arranged in a grid formation with a single overlap between each roofing assembly and the adjacent roofing assemblies.

The overlapping region may extend along more than two adjacent sides, such as three sides or all four sides.

The battens of at least one of the set of the battens may extend over an edge of the membrane for engaging with the battens of another, similar, roofing assembly. The consequent interleaving of the battens, in use, may not therefore interfere with the overlapping of the membranes of adjacent roofing assemblies.

The battens of another set of the battens may align with the edge of the membrane.

The membrane may be attached to the battens at one or more attachment points.

The cords may be attached to the battens separately to the attachment of the membrane to the battens. Thus, the battens may be the only interconnection between the membrane and cords. Alternatively, the cords may be attached directly to the membrane.

The skilled person will appreciate that except where mutually exclusive, a feature or parameter described in relation to any one of the above aspects may be applied to any other aspect. Furthermore, except where mutually exclusive, any feature or parameter described herein may be applied to any aspect and/or combined with any other feature or parameter described herein.

Non-limiting examples of the invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a plan view of an embodiment of a roofing assembly according to the disclosure;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of four roofing assemblies that are engaged together as part of a modular roofing system according to the disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a view of part of the roofing assembly of FIG. 1, when in position on a series of rafters;

FIG. 4 is a flow diagram of a method of laying a modular roofing assembly according to the disclosure; and

FIG. 5 is a flow diagram of a method of laying a roofing assembly according to the disclosure.

An embodiment of a roofing assembly 100 is shown in FIG. 1. The roofing assembly 100 comprises a flexible membrane 102. The flexible membrane 102 is waterproof, in order to provide protection from leaks. In the depicted embodiment, the flexible membrane 102 is also breathable. For example, the flexible membrane 102 may comprise or be formed at least partially of thermoplastic polyether ester elastomer (TPEE) or another suitable material or polymer. The material of the flexible membrane 102 may also have thermally-insulative properties, in order to prevent excess heat loss through the roofing assembly 100.

A plurality of cords 104 or strips are affixed to the flexible membrane 102, running in a first direction across the flexible membrane 102—vertically as shown in FIG. 1. A total of four cords 104 are shown on the flexible membrane 102, although a greater or lesser number could also be provided. The cords 104 are also flexible, enabling them to move in conjunction with the flexible membrane 102, for example allowing the membrane 102 to be folded or rolled for storage.

Although the cords 104 are evenly spaced in the depicted embodiment, this is not a necessary feature and they may in fact be spaced in any desired formation.

A series of battens 106 or laths run in a second direction across the flexible membrane 102, the second direction being perpendicular to the first direction—horizontally as shown in FIG. 1. The battens 106 are arranged to run parallel to one another across the flexible membrane 102. As shown, the battens 106 are evenly spaced, this spacing being selected such that it corresponds to the maximum recommended pitch of the tiles with which the roofing assembly 100 is designed to be used.

The pitch or gauge of the tiles of any assembly will be dependent on a number of factors, including the number of tile courses, maximum and minimum pitch of the specific type of tile being used with the assembly, the slope or pitch of the roof, and any additional formula/calculations provided by the manufacturer of the tiles. The skilled person will be able to determine a suitable gauge for the assembly when taking into account some or all of these factors.

The flexibility of the membrane 102 and cords 104 ensures that, even though the battens 106 are evenly spaced at a constant distance, the spacing can be adjusted or varied when desired. This may allow for use of the roofing assembly 100 with different standard tile spacing and/or may also allow the roofing assembly 100 to conform to non-horizontal edges on a roof. For example, non-horizontal edges of roofs may occur in the case of older buildings—through a lower level of craftsmanship or slip or subsidence—or in new and innovative designs where there are deliberate non-horizontal design features.

In FIG. 1, it can be seen that the battens 106 of the roofing assembly 100 can be considered as two sets of battens 108 a, 108 b, the battens 106 from each set 108 a, 108 b alternating with battens 106 from the other set 108 a, 108 b. The two sets of battens 108 a, 108 b are offset from one another in the second direction such that the first set of battens 108 a extends further than the second set 108 b at one end 110 and the second set of battens 108 b extends further than the first set 108 a at the other end 112. This enables the two sets of battens 108 a, 108 b to interleave with the sets of battens 108 a, 108 b of another roofing assembly 100, when laid adjacent to one another. This may aid alignment and attachment of multiple roofing assemblies 100 when used together.

Each of the battens 106 in the embodiment shown are of equal length and are offset from one another to result in the ends of each of the battens 106 of the first set 108 a being offset from the ends of each of the battens 106 of the second set 108 b. The offset between the sets of battens 108 a, 108 b is therefore the same at each end. However, this effect may be provided in other ways, for example by making each of the battens 106 of the first set 108 a a different length to those of the second set 108 b. This would still enable engagement or interleaving of the battens 106, but would necessitate a vertical offset of adjacent assemblies 100 in order to interleave the sets 108 a, 108 b properly. Alternatively, where interleaving of battens 106 is only desired on one side of the roofing assembly 100, it may be that the ends of the first and second sets of battens 108 a, 108 b align at one end but are offset at the other.

As well as providing two sets of battens 108 a, 108 b that are designed such that they may interleave or interengage with sets of battens 108 a, 108 b of other similar roofing assemblies 100, the flexible membrane 102 is designed such that an overlap is provided with adjacent roofing assemblies 100. Two overlapping regions 114 of the membrane 102 are therefore provided, these overlapping regions 114 being provided on two adjacent sides of the membrane 102: the top and one side. The overlapping regions 114 are free of battens 106 such that they are able to overlap with regions of adjacent roofing assemblies 100 that include battens 106. Although described as an overlapping region, it will be apparent to the skilled person that these portions of the membrane will, in fact, underlap the battens of adjacent assemblies. The term “overlapping region” is intended to include both regions that form the upper layer of two overlapping portions of the membrane and regions that form the lower layer of two overlapping portions of the membrane.

In order to make the overlapping process as simple as possible, the ends of the first set of battens 108 a are aligned with an edge 116 of the flexible membrane 102 and the ends of the second set of battens 108 b overhang the edge 116 of the flexible membrane 102. Such an arrangement means that a user can align the membrane 102 and end of the first set of battens 108 a of a second roofing assembly 100 with the other end of the first set of battens 108 a of the first roofing assembly 100. There will therefore be provided a predetermined amount of overlap of the membranes 102 of each assembly 100, depending on the offset of the battens 106, this overlap being provided without any need for trimming or folding either membrane 102. Using the depicted assembly, the direction of laying will be left-to-right and from bottom-to-top, due to the positioning of the overlapping regions.

In a similar manner, the overlap provided when laying additional roofing assemblies 100 that are vertically offset from the first roofing assembly 100 is predetermined by the size of the overlapping region 114 of each roofing assembly 100. The user can simply line up the lowermost batten 106 of a second roofing assembly 100 above the uppermost batten 106 of the first roofing assembly 100. The desired separation may be obtained, for example, by aligning the lowermost batten 106 of the second roofing assembly 100 with an uppermost end of the cords 104 of the first roofing assembly 100 at the predetermined pitch required for the specific tile being used and the specific receiving structure being worked on.

FIG. 2 shows an arrangement of four roofing assemblies 100 in a two-by-two grid. It can be seen that, by arranging each roofing assembly 100 relative to the others as described above, an array of battens 106 can be provided for the attachment of tiles, the battens 106 being regularly spaced and in the desired alignment.

A method of laying such a modular roofing assembly 1000 is shown in FIG. 4. In a first step S100, a plurality of roofing assemblies according to the above disclosure are provided. In a second step S102, a first of the roofing assemblies is laid on a receiving structure for a roof. The laying of the first of the roofing assemblies may be subject to adjustments being made to the roofing assembly. For example, the desired pitch may be determined or the ends of battens may be trimmed to align with an edge of the roofing structure, e.g. the edges may be trimmed such that a straight edge is formed by both (or all) sets of battens. In a third step S104, a second roofing assembly is then laid on the receiving structure, such that it overlaps with the first roofing assembly, for example by interleaving of battens. Third or further roofing assemblies can then be laid on the receiving structure in a fourth step S106. Each of these roofing assemblies may be laid either side-by-side with or above or below the previous roofing assemblies, as shown, for example, in FIG. 2.

In FIG. 3, a roofing assembly 100 is shown in place on rafters 118, viewed in line with the rafters 118. The rafters 118 shown are only an indicative form of support structure and other forms of support structure may additionally or alternatively be provided for attachment of the roofing assembly 100 or assemblies. As can be seen, the battens 106 of the roofing assembly 100 are seated on the rafters 118 with the membrane 102 interposed between. Both the membrane 102 and cords 104 are attached to the battens 106 but, in the depicted embodiment, the membrane 102 is not directly attached to the cords 104. This allows freer movement of the membrane 102, ensuring that it is able to bow or droop under its own weight between the rafters 118, limited only by attachment points 120 where the membrane 102 is attached to the battens 106, one of which is shown in FIG. 3. Bowing of the membrane 102 enables good drainage of moisture on the membrane 102 in the event that water passes through the tiles. The droop is achieved by making the membrane 102 slightly longer than the length of the battens 106 of the roofing assembly 100.

A particular benefit of this is that the arrangement or spacing of the cords 104 does not need to be aligned with the rafters 118 in order that bowing and therefore proper drainage can occur. This means that the roofing assembly 100 can be used on roof support structures, such as rafters 118, without requiring any specific layout or geometry of the support structure.

However, in other embodiments, the cords 104, membrane 102, and battens 106 may all be connected in the same position. This can provide a slightly simpler roofing assembly as the total number of attachment points 120—e.g. membrane-to-batten, cord-to-batten, and membrane-to-cord—can be lower.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting the steps involved in laying a roofing assembly 100. In a first step S200, a roofing assembly 100 is provided. Although considered in relation to the roofing assembly 100 described above, the method of roofing need not be limited to only the assemblies described above, or even limited to modular roofing assemblies. However, the roofing assembly 100 provided should typically include a membrane 102, cords 104, and battens 106, interconnected and arranged as a roofing assembly 100.

In a second step S202, the roofing assembly 100 can be attached at a lower edge of a roof support structure, such as a set of rafters 118. By the lower edge, it is meant the end of the support structure towards the eaves and/or guttering. After attachment, in a third step S204, the roofing assembly 100 can be laid gradually upwards towards an upper edge of the roof support structure. As the roofing assembly 100 is laid, the battens 106 can be attached to the rafters 118 and spaced as required. A particular benefit to this is that the roofing assembly 100 can be used as a safety aid to the user laying the roofing assembly 100 as s/he makes his/her way towards the top edge of the roof support structure. In contrast, when laying from top to bottom, such a benefit is not available.

Where a modular roofing assembly is used, for example like that described above, laying from the bottom to the top means that the membrane overlap between vertically offset roofing assemblies may be naturally provided with the upper roofing assembly overlapping the top of the lower roofing assembly. Thus, the roofing process may be made quicker and simpler. Additionally or alternatively, the roofing process may be made much safer, as there is a working surface for the user during construction. Similarly, the method of roofing may entail laying modular roofing assemblies in a direction from one side to another—that direction being left-to-right when using the roofing assembly of FIG. 1—to ensure that the overlapping of the membranes is simple for the user. Where the overlap is provided on the opposite side to that of FIG. 1, the direction could be right-to-left.

Of course, the use of the roofing assembly of the present disclosure is not limited to its direction of application to a roof. Assemblies may be placed on a roofing support structure in any direction or combination of directions, including left-to-right, right-to-left, bottom-to-top, and top-to-bottom.

Conveniently, the roofing assembly disclosed herein may be manufactured and/or stocked in a limited, typically relatively small, number of standard configurations, these configurations varying, for example, in length and/or width, offset of the sets of battens and/or the spacing of the battens and/or cords. Assemblies of these standard configurations may then be used in any numbers and/or combinations in the installation of roofs having a wide range of shapes and sizes. Thus, the roofing assembly disclosed herein may provide the user with versatility and/or convenience.

Use of the roofing assemblies disclosed herein may help make the roofing process considerably quicker, and hence cheaper, simpler and/or safer.

It will be understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments above-described and various modifications and improvements can be made without departing from the concepts described herein. Except where mutually exclusive, any of the features may be employed separately or in combination with any other features and the disclosure extends to and includes all combinations and sub-combinations of one or more features described herein. 

1. A roofing assembly, comprising: a membrane; a plurality of cords, attached in a spaced-apart configuration to the flexible membrane and extending in a first direction; a plurality of battens, attached in a spaced-apart configuration to the plurality of cords and extending in a second direction that is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the first direction, each of the battens being attached to at least one of the plurality of cords; wherein a first set of the battens is offset at at least one end in the second direction from a second set of the battens.
 2. A roofing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the membrane is a flexible membrane and/or wherein the membrane is waterproof and/or breathable.
 3. (canceled)
 4. A roofing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first set of the battens are offset in the second direction at both ends from the second set of battens.
 5. A roofing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the first set of the battens and the second set of the battens are attached to the cords such that they alternate in a repeating pattern.
 6. A roofing assembly according to claim 5, further comprising at least one additional set of the battens, which are non-aligned with both the first set of the battens and the second set of the battens, wherein the at least one additional set of the battens are attached to the cords such that they alternate in a repeating pattern with the first set of the battens and the second set of the battens.
 7. A roofing assembly according to claim 5, wherein the battens of the first set of the battens alternates with the battens of the second set of the battens.
 8. A roofing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the battens are arranged such that they define or indicate at least partially an overlapping region of the membrane for overlapping with another, similar, roofing assembly.
 9. A roofing assembly according to claim 8, wherein the overlapping region of the membrane extends along one side of the membrane and/or wherein the overlapping region of the membrane extends along two adjacent sides of the membrane.
 10. (canceled)
 11. A roofing assembly according to claim 1, wherein the battens of at least one of the sets of the battens extend over an edge of the membrane, for engaging with the battens of another, similar, roofing assembly.
 12. A roofing assembly according to claim 11, wherein the battens of at least one other of the sets of the battens align with the edge of the membrane.
 13. A modular roofing system comprising a plurality of roofing assemblies according to claim
 1. 14. A roof comprising a receiving structure for a roof and one or more roofing assemblies according to claim
 1. 15. A building having a roof according to claim
 14. 16. (canceled)
 17. A method of laying a modular roofing assembly, comprising: providing a plurality of roofing assemblies, each roofing assembly comprising: a membrane; a plurality of cords, attached in a spaced-apart configuration to the flexible membrane and extending in a first direction; and a plurality of battens, attached in a spaced-apart configuration to the plurality of cords and extending in a second direction that is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the first direction, each of the battens being attached to at least one of the plurality of cords; wherein a first set of the battens is offset at at least one end in the second direction from a second set of the battens; laying a first of the plurality of roofing assemblies on a receiving structure for a roof; laying a second of the plurality of roofing assemblies on the receiving structure such that the battens of the second of the plurality of roofing assemblies are interleaved with the battens of the first of the plurality of roofing assemblies.
 18. A method according to claim 17, further comprising laying a third of the plurality of roofing assemblies on the receiving structure in a position such that the battens of the third of the plurality of roofing assemblies are parallel but not collinear with the battens of the first and second of the plurality of roofing assemblies.
 19. A method according to claim 18, further comprising laying further roofing assemblies of the plurality of roofing assemblies such that the battens of each further roofing assembly of the plurality of roofing assemblies are interleaved with the battens of a previously lain roofing assembly such as the first, second, or third of the plurality of roofing assemblies.
 20. A method of laying a roofing assembly, comprising: providing a roofing assembly comprising: a membrane; a plurality of cords, attached in a spaced-apart configuration to the flexible membrane and extending in a first direction; and a plurality of battens, attached in a spaced-apart configuration to the plurality of cords and extending in a second direction that is orthogonal or substantially orthogonal to the first direction, each of the battens being attached to at least one of the plurality of cords; attaching the roofing assembly at a lower edge of a receiving structure for a roof; and laying and attaching the roofing assembly in a direction towards an upper edge of the receiving structure.
 21. A method according to claim 20, wherein the membrane is a flexible membrane.
 22. A method according to claim 20, further comprising a step of changing a distance between battens by squeezing or compressing the cord interconnecting two battens.
 23. A method according to claim 20, further comprising overlapping the roofing assembly with another roofing assembly.
 24. (canceled) 